What Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic this way: "Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers"; "Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws"; "Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances"; "Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines"; "Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 171,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 153,100 in 2035, a decrease of 17,900 jobs (-10.5%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 13,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $46,330, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn the most
Published data currently covers Michigan, where the employment-weighted average of local median wages is $47,762. More states are added as pages are published.
Occupations related to Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (51-4000) include Machinists and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Frequently asked questions about Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
How much do Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $46,330.
Is Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 10.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,200 openings a year.
What education do Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.